The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-07-08

CHAPTER XXIL-C0NTINUED.
Did they have a cat at their house?
Yes, certainly, and litter went round
sthe room. making the hairy mole on
Mother Tartrum's chin tremble. Did
they have a kitten? The prosecuting
attorney did not see that this was rele-
want, but the justice did. Yes. they
had kitten. How old was the kitten?
Four or five months old. Was it very
playful kitten? 1t was, but was never
known to open a carpet bag and hide
away gold bracelet. This produced
a laugh at the lawyers expense. and
Mother Tartrum clapped her hands for
Joy, while the hairy mole on her chin
was greatly agitated.
The lawyer then asked Halle If. she
knew who put the bracelet in the car
pet bag? No, she did not. Did she do
it? NO." very Indignantly.
She was dismissed and Mrs. Arnold
sworn. Her examination in chief was
the same as her daughters. Then on
.crVss-examinatiOn she admitted that it
was not dark when Helen and "Pete,
the peddler," came to her house. That
Helen's brother was with her and both
were soaked with rain. That Pete was
man of good character, and that they
stated that Pete had found Helen and
her little brother under tree. and he
volunteered to carry the little boy that
far. She even thought that there
might be nothing wrong in her coming
there with Pete. Mother Tartrum at
this point shook her head. Mrs. Ar
mold stated that they had a cat, yes
they had an old cat, and that old cat
had two kittens, they were very play
full kittens too, but she had never
known them to hide things in peoples
yalises. Might not the bracelet have
rolled from the dressing case? 1t
might, she admitted, but it was not
likely to roll into some other persons
carpet bag.
Had she ever heard Helen's character
questioned prior to this event? Well.
there had been some rumors. Mothers
"Tartrum and Grundy nodded their
heads approvingly. What were they?
She could not repeat them, but they
went to show that she was not as
good as she ought to be.
Had she not helped to circulate these
rumors? She might have repeated
them. Had she not advised Mrs. Stu
art to discharge Helen? Mrs. Arnold
was confused, and stammered out
+. something about its being for the good
of the family.
..Speak out, Mrs. Arnold" said Lay
man, severely. ibid You, or did you
not advise Mrs. Stuart to discharge
1her??'
After a moments confusion. she
stammered, ''yes."
land then employed her YOURSELF"
The lady, still more confused, answered
that she did. She left the witness
stand greatly perplexed, but still clear
rs to The bracelet being found in Hell
, ems possession. 1t was found among
some handkerchiefs wrapped up in a
piece Of blue calico goods, new, and
evidently just cut off the piece. The
calico was produced. She had never
seen it before; it was found in Helen's
carpet bag, and Helen whispered to her
attorney that she had never seen il
either. until that fatal morning. Did
not the goods really belong to Mrs. Ar
mold? She said: no"
Mother Tartrum next took the stand
and said the gal was no better'n she
art to Dealers said she'd come to
bad. Was not the least bit surprised
when she heard she'd stole bracelet. -
On cross-examination, said she didn't
think it nice for ''gal to be runnin'
about after night with men. What
men had Helen run about with after
night? She heard she went home one
night with Warren Stuart from meet.
in. Did not other girls allow young
men to accompany them home from
church, The hairy mole trembled and
her eyes flashed with rage. ''Othel
gals didn't come to peoples houses with
strange men way after night to stay
all night" When had she gone to any
ones house with strange man? She
went to Judge ArnOld's. This was
thrown out with side glance Of fire.
Did not Mrs. Arnold say that Helen
land Pete come there before night:
Mother Tartrum was caught. Her
face was dark with wrath. and she lief,
the stand more hopelessly confused
than Mrs. Arnold. Mother Grundy
came next and was no better.
But the discovery of the bracelet in
Helen's carpet bag, and her admission
of the fact to the sheriff fastened the
guilt upon her. The evidence was all
in. and the justice cleared his throat,
elevated his glasses and rubbed the top
of his head, very much as if he had a
painful duty to perform.
CHAPTER XXH
THE ACQuITTAL.
squire Buffers WAS rubbing his head
rs II he was in no hurry to decide this
case. He calmly surveyed the audi
~ence who waited his decision. His
eyes rested nervously for moment
upon the pale Yet calm features of the
prisoner Judge Arnold. with arms